Water leaks between the windshield rubber seal at the glass or the frame itself. It turned out to be a good, solid car with matching-numbers engine, transmission, and differential. Every once in a great while, an unrestored Corvette comes along that has all the right stuff. Engine Pad Suffix Identification 6. Midyears are often found with incorrect engines and transmissions because of the hard life that many early Corvettes had. This center carb (PN 3902355) has the correct number, but it is a new Holley replacement. NCRS has plenty of pocket-sized publications to get the skinny on all the numbers you could imagine. A numbers matching 427ci 425hp V8 L72 casting number 386992 which decodes to a 1966 427ci . Reportedly, day shift transmissions may not have the shift code suffix. The cars with 427 engines also included special 427 racing emblems. All rights reserved. These C-channels are rough, but there are no perforations, which is a very good thing. Meet the Team: Accounting, Purchasing, and More! Pick the wrong one, and youll end up with an unsatisfactory, abstract, two-toned paint job. 2. The front end consists of an upper surround that goes from the front bumper to the windshield frame. Aluminum cylinder heads and intake manifolds usually have a W stamp within a snowflake design indicating Winters Aluminum Foundry Company. The way you drive your car determines what kind [Click here to read more], The greatest engines designed by automotive manufacturers since the 1950s were first introduced in the most brutal performance environment: motorsports. For example, P01221 is a typical stamping found on a correct transmission for 1965: P for 4-speed Muncie Plant; 01 January month built; 22 for day built; and 1 for day shift. Early 1960 Left Door hinge pillar below upper hinge. On a 3-2 setup, the middle carb is main crank/runs on crank-up and normal operation. Bring a wire brush and flashlight to help find this stamping. Smaller ancillary items, such as the carburetor, starter, and alternator, were stamped with build and date codes. Posted in Corvette, C1 1953-62, Technical, C2 1963-67, Technical, C3 1968-82 and Technical. Put together a plan before talking any numbers. We have included an easy to use search feature too for quickly finding specific RPO codes. Although initially listed as a 450hp engine, the solid lifter 427ci engines rating was later reduced to 425hp shortly after its introduction for reasons unknown. 1964 and later trim tag build date codes contain a letter that represents the month, followed by two digits that represent the day of the month (1 or 01 through 31). The serial number below it coincides with the VIN plate. An overall cleaning, painting, and freshening up of the drivetrain would make this one fine Midyear. Your email address will not be published. Everything can be difficult to take apart due to corrosion. The 1965 to 1967 rear axle stampings were changed slightly to include build plant codes. I found two problems: A side fender had been replaced without proper fitting procedures, and the frame was tweaked back just a bit. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. To resolve the problem, the floor needed to be removed and glued back together correctly, which was a major reconstruction project. Perforation is when there are holes in the metal surface. However, most of the ancillary pieces had been changed and had incorrect numbers. Directly below the build date code is the word "Style". General Motors used this same HP code in 1965, and it is quite different from the 1966. The 12-28-62 side cover denoted it could have been in a 1963. Your Paint Codes can be resolved with the chart that follows: 3.08:1, 3.36:1, 3.55:1, 3.70:1, 4.11:1, 4.56:1, Mechanical Valve Lifters & Special-performance Camshaft, HH = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor, HR = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four-barrel carburetor, HD = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, and four-barrel carburetor, HO = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, automatic transmission, and four barrel carburetor, HT = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, HP = 327-cid 300-hp V-8 with 10.5:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, KH = 327-cid 350-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, IK = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, IL = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, IM = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, IP = 427-cid 425-hp V-8 with 11.0:1 compression ratio, manual transmission, four-barrel carburetor, IQ = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission and four-barrel carburetor, IR = 427-cid 390-hp V-8 with 10.25:1 compression ratio, Powerglide automatic transmission, four-barrel carburetor. does anyone make interior paint for my 1963 CORVETTE window frames in red,?? C2 (1963-1967): Windshield Glass, Coupe Rear Glass, Door/Vent Glass. Advertised Engine Ratings - Horsepower and torque figures. To play it safe, always get a signed and notarized receipt, and check the VIN with what is on the title. We find fiber-glass cloth (sometimes used for boat hulls) instead of stranded fiberglass mat that should be used for repairs. After 1955 they went back to a 10 digit sequence. Corvette trim tag from a 1978 Pace Car built on March 21. 1966 Corvette Factory Options - A list of options with their cost. Look closely around the steering box as the steering load is applied. We have a wide selection of paints that match OEM colors and the various tools you need to get the job done successfully. It looks like the repair piece was chopped off the donor vehicle with a machete. Select a year and a model to view the vast history of Corvettes. Colors for 1966 included Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Rally Red, Nassau Blue, Laguna Blue, Trophy Blue, Mosport Green, Sunfire Yellow, Silver Pearl, Milano Maroon. In the top left corner of 1963 through 1967 trim tag is the body build date code. Corvette Sting Ray Gold Portfolio 19631967 has data, history, and plenty of specifications to assure you are looking at a correctly-numbered Midyear. Letters and numbers were used to denote horsepower, and the transmission to which it was to be coupled, as well as the month and day built. Intake manifolds have a date code along with a casting number. Casting and date codes are also on each major component and many ancillary pieces. This is no reason to shy away; just do your homework. These last 5 are the actual build sequence number of that series, Chris Trautman @ Corvette Assembly Plant 2019, 1981-2013 C3, C4, C5, C6 Corvette VIN Decoder, (See LT4 Performance Upgrades Aftermarket), Corvette News | Latest and Breaking News in the Corvette World, 1960 to 1962 Steering column in the engine compartment, 1963 to 1967 Instrument panel support brace under the glove box, 1968 to Present Drivers side top of the instrument panel or windshield post (A-pillar). 1966 C2 Corvette Colors Ermine White: 936 Tuxedo Black: 900 Nassau Blue Metallic: 976 Milano Maroon Metallic: 988 Silver Pearl Metallic: 986 Rally Red: 974 Sunfire Yellow: 984 Laguna Blue: 978 Trophy Blue Metallic: 980 Mosport Green Metallic: 982 1967 C2 Corvette Colors Ermine White: 936 Tuxedo Black: 900 Silver Pearl Metallic: 986 Rally Red: 974 The trapped water eventually causes corrosion to form, and corrosion means rust. Canadian or northern coastal cars can be horrible to work on. Reproductions are out there, so having an original Protect-O-Plate is a very valuable piece of documentation. The styling of the 1966 car remained very much a carryover from the year before. With the exception of the dramatic new lineup of engine choices, there was little else that was deemed new for the 1966 model year. The VIN of 6 cylinder cars will always start with the Letter "E". Bonding strips are used to connect and reinforce the panels at the front fenders and rear areas. If there is major corrosion it falls onto the white paper towels when the doors are closed. Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it? Cracks occur around the front spring pockets and steering box mount area. One of the worst cases I have seen was a 1966 that arrived in baskets for assembly. The 1968-78 Corvette trim tag is very different from the 1965-67 Corvette trim tag. Hand-laid fiberglass is obvious from the inside because the panels are rougher and the fiberglass strands are noticeable. One of the most common restoration tasks for Corvette owners worldwide is restoring or touching up their vehicles original paint. This buyers order spells out what options and trim level this 1967 had from the factory. In 1966 and 1967, Holley supplied all the small- and big-block carburetors, including the Tri-Power setup shown. The C-channels and birdcage are also suspect for severe rot. Headrests were optional for the first time and the interior door pulls are bright When the official ratings were reduced, the decision to make this change was purely administrative and was not the result of any changes made to the engines. 1963 to 1964 Spot welded to body hinge brace under the glove box. In addition, broken or missing bonding strips are easy to spot. The few Corvette purchasers who retrieved these highly sought-after documents were paid dividends later. Trim 490J denotes dark blue vinyl. DID YOU KNOW: The 427 cubic-inch engines were introduced in the 1966 model. The only way that you can positively verify the original paint and/or interior is to acquire the original dealer invoice or other original paperwork. Its in its original silver pearl color with compete silver interior, even the mats and carpeting. It is confirmed on 1967 Camaros. The 1965 also used a Carter carburetor. Following the word Style is the last two digits of the model year (63 or 64), a blank space, and the three digit body style code (837 for a coupe or 867 for a convertible). Gus Research is the only way to find out as much data as possible. On the lower half of the trim tag is this wording: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION CERTIFIES TO THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS APPLICABLE AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE. 1965. the "Big Block". This can help offset the cost of replacing incorrect casting or date-coded pieces. Consider what it takes to put this 1963 back together in decent shape. The serial number is where the date codes on the engine and other components come into play. Restyled wheel covers were introduced along with an all-new rocker trim. Go home and think it out. Each Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is unique to an individual car. This number represents the numerical sequence of the particular body style (coupe or convertible). Some critics believe that those ratings may be on the conservative side, and feel the actual ratings were closer to 420 and 450 for the two engines. As I dug deeper into what I had in front of me, I found a completely original, numbers- matching 1967, right down to the carburetor. There are vendors supplying correctly coded transmission assemblies for those who want to pay the price. Meet the Team: Customer Service and Product Assistance, Ermine White (**1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967) 9668, Milano Maroon Metallic (1965, 1966) 6630, Tuxedo Black (**1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967) 5093, Silver Blue Metallic (**1963, 1964) 3121. Powerglide automatic transmissions were stamped D for day and N for night. I urge you to be very cautious concerning any date or casting codes. Engine Block & Cylinder Head Casting Numbers 5. The company estimate said 5.7 second 0 60 mph time was possible, but we couldnt validate that anybody had tested that. headliner previously used. In 1967, the factory used a build sheet, containing all the pertinent data for the build as the Corvette moved down the assembly line. D27 is the month of April on day 24. Letters began appearing in the 1967 model year using the engine block month designation system. Copyright 2022 Ecklers Automotive. We will cover the rear differentials in brief detail to point out the specific differences that exist. I had in my mind that I wanted to find a drivable Midyear that I could modify or personalize during a restoration. While the car was in the shop, the owner wanted to know if I could verify the VIN engine codes and the trim tag. The same water/salt slurry attacks the frame behind the front wheels causing corrosion. How many 1966 corvette coupes were produced with mossport green exterior and green interior /, Your email address will not be published. We also support Corvette events, swap meets and local Corvette club shows all over the world. Keep scrolling or use the links below to jump directly on this page to your model car and find your Corvette Information. Since 1967 Corvettes are such a hot commodity, convincingly forged tank stickers have been found. The Trim Tag has several numbers and alphabetical Letters embossed into it, body style , either 437 or 467 for coupe and convertible, Color Code of Paint, style/color of interior, as well as the month and day vehicle was produced, and finally the body identification number which also shows whether body was made at Saint louis or A.O. Dimension and Weight Specifications, Engine Block & Cylinder Head Casting Numbers. The 1966 had two casting numbers: 3872702 represented the oval-port, closed-cham- ber head for the 390-hp version, while 3873858 specified the 427-hp version with closed chambers and rectangular ports. From the underside of this 1964, the incorrect repair is obvious. Heres a list of color names, along with each of their specific OEM color codes: *The double-letter color codes (e.g., AA, CC, etc.) Finding an intact tank sheet or sticker is rare. This is not surprising because seat belt deletion was available only on exported cars after 1965. My second candidate was a 1964 convertible in decent condition with a matching-number engine. For all 1966 Corvettes, the location of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), body style, body number trim, and paint combination can be found on the instrument panel brace under the glove box. Car Series "E" for 1953, 54, 56, 57 or "J" = Chevrolet Corvette for 1958-59, V=V8 for 1955, 2 & 3 Model Year 53 = 1953 Corvette VIN Decoder. Engine blocks (or cases as General Motors called them) have foundry casting codes denoting the time and day it was built. The next step was contacting a friend who sells Midyears regularly to see what he thought. He was frustrated trying to find information on the internet about Corvettes which was was not biased or influenced somehow. Production total of 300 were produced Flint, MI. The NCRS judges are looking for the stamped aluminum tag under the top cover screw at the right rear corner on this 300-hp 327-ci engine. When the surface is decked, the factory stamping is eliminated. 1955-62 Corvettes did not have a trim tag. Part numbers also should be researched very carefully to ascertain validity if an NCRS or Bloomington Gold restoration is in your future. Bring a flashlight, notepad to record numbers, and possibly a floor jack to have a quick look underneath. carburation. 6H8 is the sixth day of August 1968. Similarly, the 390 horsepower engine was initially rated at 400 horsepower. They were built in early June 2008 and most have since been sold to Corvette dealers. My question is the removable hard top is the same color silver, BUT the headliner and plastic Mouldings of the top is a very dark navy blue, almost black. Directly below the build date code is the word Style. Buying a severely corroded Corvette can really hurt your budget and ego. Normally we have them, but the ones we were getting have recently been discontinued. Join The World's Fastest Growing Corvette Community >> Activate Membership Models Generation Hubs Final Monthly Serial Numbers - Calculate the build date. The third sequence is: 95900001 and this is the car that sold at Barrett Jackson and was delivered in July 2008. Is this a normal color or an option color for headliner for a silver pearl C2 or should the headliner have been silver too?? Rear Axle Ratio Identification Codes We sometimes equate that our time is not a monetary concern; after all, we are working on this as a hobby. Maximum horsepower was not actually increased with the larger engine for 1966, though the new engine did have significantly more torque. 11. You do need to be aware that over the years original frames may have been swapped out when they rotted away. 1966 Corvette Factory Options- A list of options with their cost. Smith plant For the most part, many pieces were junk because they could not be removed without inflicting some major damage. The well-worn interior was, for the most part, intact. Power Team Combinations - Engine, transmission and rear axle. Car theft has not been a major problem in the hobby because so many Midyears have history. Is this beyond the scope of your capabilities? The Illustrated Corvette Series by Scott Teeters has some really great Corvette facts and figures. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable. This is when patience is key to avoid paying way too much for a rough Midyear project. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Join The World's Fastest Growing Corvette Community >>, FOR SALE: Modified 1966 Chevrolet Corvette, Corvette Of The Day: Turbocharged 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Drag Car, Watch A C8 Corvette Get Unleashed On The Autobahn. GM stamped the last six digits of the serial number along with S for St. Louis. Top is Red 974 car is white 936. Drivers side top of the instrument panel for late model Corvette's or windshield post (A-pillar) for earlier models. The H2 is the build date; 2 is the second week of H, April. This is one of those typical things that you can run into when basket cases (aptly named) are involved. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. You guessed it; they wanted to see the chassis VIN along with the VIN plate. Advertised Engine Ratings - Horsepower and torque figures. And while thats not usually the most difficult of Corvette restoration tasks, one component could make or break the project: choosing the paint color. Over many years, this area can turn to rusty flakes and in extreme cases the entire corner of the frame can have huge holes. 1966 Corvette Factory Options - A list of options with their cost. It also required that the Corvette was equipped with an upgraded suspension, similar to the setup on the 396 package. 1966 Corvette - Trim Decoding A full chart detailing interior and exterior combinations can be found in the COLOR CHART section. While cranking the engine, rap that area with the plastic handle of a screwdriver until engine cranks/runs. Save your vehicles, create project lists, and track your orders. Rear axles were also stamped with rear axle codes and dates, but these can be very hard to see clearly. This is why the VIN will be 10 digits for 1953-54 cars. Even amongst the earlier small-block options that had been available on earlier Corvettes, these two engines were arguably the best all-around engines. Not all dealer invoices show the original paint but most do show the interior code and color. Water/salt gets slung onto the bottom side of the C-channels causing them to corrode slowly. The passenger-side tire and wheel was back so far that I could not turn the steering wheel. 1. The 396 engines in 1965 used the 3856208 casting. Rod ratio is the combination of [Click here to read more], When it comes to the camshaft on a small-block Chevy, enthusiasts tend to overlook the importance of each component in the valvetrain and its contribution to how well the entire system works. Build Date: Month, Week. The major difference was that the 65-67 were riveted instead in the same location. There was a sick feeling in my stomach, knowing that the only thing I could verify was that the trim tag showed incorrect interior and exterior color codes. This 1100694 unit is correct for my 1965 A/C-equipped coupe. If you are looking to decode your 1966 Corvette RPOs (Regular Production Options), then check out the table below. Picture added by webmaster (after it was published via the NCRS tech. The introduction of the big-block V-8 engine captured the imagination of Corvette consumers the world over, and in no time at all, the demand for big-blocks far surpassed those of the conventional 327 small block Chevy engine. C represented Cleve- land-built Powerglides, T for Toledo-built Powerglides, P for Muncie, and S for Sag- inaw-built 3-speeds. For the 1955 model they added the letter V to get 11. You can see whether the VIN and this trim tag information coincide. You guessed it; someone might actually improperly repair a corroded frame with body filler to save money. General Motors stamped the engine block with the last six digits of the VIN. Then as years drag by, it becomes apparent that a lot of money has been spent and you are not enjoying the fruits of your labor. The serial number followed the coupe or convertible code, to give you an idea when the Corvette was built. The reason is that most of what this book is about concerns intake and exhaust port flow. The decking or machining also must match the finish that left the factory. Following this three-digit paint code is the word Paint to designate the paint code. Your #1 Source of Restoration and Restomod Parts! Windshield leaks are common, letting the water and corrosives work slowly over time. Some of the most difficult Corvettes I have ever worked on were Canadian cars. My Dad Taught Me Everything About Classic Cars, Classic Mustang Wheel and Tire Combinations Part 1, Interior Upgrades for your Classic Mustang. If the exhaust manifold has a date code, it may not be visible with the manifold bolted onto the cylinder head. Look carefully at the tire and wheels position in the fender opening. Severe cracks can be seen while the steering wheel is turned from one lock to the other when the engine is running. This is bad, really bad. Stamping AO0518W would tell us: AO, 3.70 ratio; 05, built in the month of May; 18, built on the 18th day; W, at the Warren plant. As hard as this may seem to believe, valid paperwork can mean an increase of 50 percent or more in a Midyears value. You can determine the date your C3 Corvette was built by looking at the codes on the "Trim Tag" on your Vette. He has owned three Corvettes over the last twenty years and does not plan to stop owning one anytime soon. While this may not seem like a major concern, many early Corvettes could have a questionable past. Wadded-up pieces of fiberglass cloth sticking out from the underside of a repair that never got saturated with resin are common. The standard features for the Corvettes (which were identical for the coupe and convertible models, included bucket seats, simulated walnut steering wheel and complete instrumentation. Search: Showing 1 to 25 of 59 entries All of the casting numbers are in the same location on big- or small-blockbetween valves. This Warner T10 has been through it all. This article will focus on the different types of Corvette trim Tags that were used from 1955-1982. More on 1966 Vette engines here. This number should coincide with the VIN. Though it had no more horsepower than the previously developed 396 cubic inch engine, the 427 did pack quite a bit more torque-460lbs/ft instead of 415. Fuelies: Fuel Injected Corvettes 19571965 by Robert Genat has excellent focused information on these revered Corvettes. Literally every bolt and nut had to be heated in order to remove it. in. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Visible through window from outside. Produced from 19651972, the differential is [Click here to read more], In this article, I am going to rebuild a Delco tall-cap distributor from the ground up. 5. forum) The C2 Registry doesn't garantee the authentication of the posted photographs and . I wanted to make an offer because this could be the perfect car for my project if the money was right. Your email address will not be published. Production Options Color Options for 1966 Color Codes: B=Blue, BB=Bright Blue, BG=Beige, BK=Black, G-Green, L=Leather, R=Red, S=Saddle, SI=Silver, V=Vinyl, W=White, WB=White and Blue Interior Colors 1966 Corvette Specifications Mechanical Dimensions Engine Specifications When I say high production, I mean paint color of the 14,436 convertibles built that year. Always remember: in many cases, it makes sense to spend more upfront to get a better car. This is the position to find the snowflake on valuable three-deuce intakes. At best, without GM records showing exactly what came on any particular Mid- year Corvette, you have to trust people. Style: Year . O: This code for A48 (seat belt deletion) is confirmed on 1965 Corvairs but has yet to be seen on 1966 or 1967 Corvairs. Seats were updated to decrease wear and tear. 66-19467 - Corvette Sting Ray convertible 66-19437 - Corvette Sting Ray coupe The body number is the serial number of the body. Learn how your comment data is processed. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Join The World's Fastest Growing Corvette Community >>, 1966 Corvette Performance & Specifications, Tuxedo Black, Ermine White, Rally Red, Nassau Blue, Laguna Blue, Trophy Blue, Mosport Green, Sunfire Yellow, Silver Pearl, Milano Maroon, 1966 Corvette pricing and factory options, FOR SALE: Modified 1966 Chevrolet Corvette, Corvette Of The Day: Turbocharged 2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Drag Car, Watch A C8 Corvette Get Unleashed On The Autobahn. In the top left corner of the trim tag is the body build code. 4 Corvette C6.R, Coupe and convertible versions also include Z51 Performance Package and NPP Performance Exhaust, Optional MX0 6-speed paddle shift automatic on coupe and convertible, Optional U3U Navigation System on all models. CHEVROLET . If you look carefully around the windshield frame you may spot some tell-tale signs of corrosion.

Remote Jobs Hiring Now No Experience, When You Pull Away From An Avoidant, Will Deer Eat Poinsettia, Jacksonville Florida Zillow, Paulette Goto Chicken Marsala, Articles OTHER